Fears over food poisoning bug prompt pate recall

Patchwork Pate has recalled 15 varieties of its pate over fears it could contain the toxin responsible for potentially fatal botulism food poisoning.

According to the Food Standards Agency, the company has been forced into the recall after being unable to prove the effectiveness of its safety procedures in relation to controlling Clostridium botulinum.

The Agency says that the issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of the toxin, which if present in food can cause botulism - a form of food poisoning which can be fatal.